Boro’s turbulent season ended in a massive defeat in the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven, after two miraculous come backs in the quarter and semi finals. Steve McClaren ran out of time to mount another extraordinary come back in his last game at the helm.

His last season with Boro has been turbulent to say the least. Only a few months ago the fans were asking him to leave with one so enraged with what he had seen at the riverside he threw his season ticked at McClaren in disgust. However two cup runs later and he is leaving      the Riverside for the prestigious post of manger of the England national team.  While there is no doubting the achievement of his team and their desire during their cup runs, but is he really the man to lead England following the departure of Eriksson after the World Cup next month?

Can He handle all the personalities? The big names? Will He have more than just plan Can he cope with not being the first choice?

In his England press conference McClaren had a confidence and swagger that has not been seen in the eight years that Ericsson has been in charge, as he was always uncomfortable with the language barrier.

Managing England means treating every game like a cup final, unfortunately his record in cup finals is not the best, especially having suffered the 4-0 hammering on Wednesday.

The question of big names and personalities, he has worked with both, he is familiar with the current squad through his work as a coach for Sven. However with many rumours that a highly regarded coach such as Ericsson has many of his decisions influenced by his captain. Will this trend continue given that McClaren is comparably inexperienced? Or will he make some controversial decisions like perhaps dropping the captain or giving the captaincy to another player.

He has learned from experience during his time with Manchester United and has demonstrated that he is prepared to change his tactics when required to chase a game or hold on to a result. Will he maintain this with England or will he mimic Sven and stick with what they know.

We will have to wait and see as the proof will be in the results starting with the friendly still to be arranged in August.